“Nor I. I want some working models of a new patent Cut-off.”

“I wont undertake any tom-foolery.”

“If you can make tom-foolery out of this, you’re a cleverer man than I am.”

“That may not be much to say. I’ve had so many shams brought to me in the way of cut-offs that I shall not spend time on yours unless it looks right at first glance.”

“You’ll see with half an eye that this means something.”

“Show me your drawings; that will settle it.”

I produced the working drawings.

Padiham studied them a few moments. I volunteered no explanation.

Presently he looked up, and fixed me with his square eyebrows, while he examined me from head to foot again.

“Did you invent this?” said he.